Comparative research between local and imported types of grapes with regard to their growth and production

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) culture in semi-arid areas is hindered by high temperature, scarce rainfall and high radiation levels from the sun, so cultivar selection is a key to sustain productivity. This work was done aiming at comparing the growth performance, flowering behaviour and yield components of local and imported cultivars of grapes under equal environmental and management conditions. The experiment was performed in 2025 growing season in randomized complete blocks design using four cultivars (two local (Halwani and Taifi) and two imported (Thompson Seedless and Red Globe) with three replications each). Vegetative growth parameters like shoot length, leaf number, leaf area, and trunk diameter were measured as well as flowering traits, fruit set and yield parameters like cluster, berry weight, berries per cluster and total yield in hectare. The results showed that the imported cultivars far exceed local cultivars in all the parameters measured. Red Globe recorded the highest vegetative growth with the shoot length of 71.5 cm, leaf area of 172.8 cm2, and trunk diameter of 3.8 cm with increases of 24 - 33% over local cultivars. Flowering was earlier for imported cultivars, cluster numbers per vine were higher (14-13 vs. 9-10 in locals) and percentages of fruit set were higher (78-82% vs. 62-65%). Yield analysis revealed that clusters of Red Globe were heavier (680 g), more berries per cluster (150) and berries per berry (4.5 g) and yield per hectare (31.7 t/ha) was also the greatest yield per hectare, almost similar to Halwani. Environmental monitoring to ensure that all cultivars were subjected to uniform irrigation, and were exposed to similar climatic conditions (i.e. that any differences were mainly the result of genetic determined factors). These results show better growth, reproductive efficiency and productivity of imported cultivars in semi-arid environment and stable but moderate performance of local cultivars showing their potential for low input or stress prone production systems.